The facade of Harpa is the work of an artist, the Icelandic-Danish Olafur Eliasson, who gets more attention and a higher billing than the hall's architects, the 52-year-old practice Henning Larsen Architects. They wear sober suits; Eliasson's leather waistcoat and silver-framed shades suggest creative leadership. His job is to provide that service that would once have been performed by Corinthian columns and statues of buxom nudes: to endow the house of culture with meaning and importance. — guardian.co.uk
1 Comment
This review is really spot on at most points. I just visited Harpa and was very impressed. It does seem a bit out of place and the Icelanders are the first to tell you it came with a great deal of complaints. On first mention of the building I was told "I hate that building, well I don't hate it, but I kind of have to." He went on to explain the cuts happening at his child's school and how when the Mayor came around to assure residents the budget that was passed around had Harpa at the very top. He, not really caring a lot about architecture, still could not deny the amazing spaces and facade of the building.
It is unfortunate that the building will always be remembered by this generation of Icelanders as the symbol of the corruption of their banking system and their crash. (many were extremely upset when the guest list for opening night included the very same bankers that many blame for the countries financial woes.)
In the end it is another Eliasson masterpiece and a good way for us to forget about Henning Larson's tragic Copenhagen Opera.
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